Taiwan’s DPP condemns Jimmy Lai’s 20-year prison sentence

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), through its China Affairs Department (民進黨中國部), condemned the 20-year prison sentence handed to Jimmy Lai (黎智英) on Monday (Feb. 9) as a devastating blow to Hong Kong under "Chinese authoritarianism."

The department highlighted the suppression of democracy and freedom in Hong Kong, the erosion of judicial independence, and the deteriorating human rights situation. The DPP called on the Chinese government to cease political persecution and release Jimmy Lai and other democracy advocates detained in Hong Kong.

A Hong Kong court sentenced Jimmy Lai (黎智英), founder of Next Digital (壹傳媒), a now-defunct media company, to 20 years in prison earlier that day for violating Beijing's national security law. Lai's son, Sebastien Lai (黎崇恩), criticized the U.K. government for failing to use Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's (施凱爾) recent visit to China to negotiate his father's release.

Sebastien Lai expressed disappointment that the U.K. approved a new Chinese embassy in London without securing concessions related to his father's case. He argued the U.K. missed an opportunity to leverage its position, noting the urgency of defending freedom amid his father's imprisonment. Sebastien Lai previously met with U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper (古柏) to emphasize the case's importance and press for government action.

Reports indicate that Sebastien Lai learned that Prime Minister Starmer mentioned the case during his visit to China, but he has not had further meetings with Starmer or Cooper since the sentencing. Former Hong Kong Governor Christopher Patten (彭定康) criticized Starmer's visit, stating its only outcome was a reduced tax rate on Johnnie Walker whisky exports to China. Patten said the visit failed to secure Jimmy Lai's release from detention.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, head of Jimmy Lai's international legal team, described the failure to make the case a condition of negotiation as a strategic error. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arbitrary Detention and Hostage Affairs, a cross-party group of British lawmakers, echoed this criticism. The group warned of potential life-threatening consequences for Jimmy Lai under his lengthy sentence.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian (林劍) defended the legal actions against Jimmy Lai, asserting his actions severely endangered national security. Lin reiterated China's support for Hong Kong's judicial authorities in maintaining national security. He emphasized Hong Kong's adherence to the rule of law in response to international criticism of the verdict. ◼